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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1947-02-10205 SELECTMEN'S MEETING February 10, 1947 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, February 10, 1947 at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Potter, Messrs. Locke, Rowse and Paxton were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 p.m. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Board for the drawing of one juror. Mr. Francis C. Kensley, engineer, 33 Oakland Street was drawn to serve Juror on Civil Business, 3rd session at Cambridge. Mr. Carroll retired at 7:34 p.m. and Mr. Joseph DeFoe, Supt. Of Public Works, met with the Board. Mr. DeFoe presented the members of the Board with a copy of the proposed contract with Metcalf & Eddy for en- gineering serviees for future sewer projects. Mr. Rowse asked if the contract had been approved by the Town Counsel and Mr. DeFoe replied that some minor changes have been made since Mr. Lynch approved it. The Chairman suggested that the members of the Board consider the contract and defer action until the next meeting of the Board. At 8:05 p.m. hearing was declared open on the layout of,as a town way, Sutherland Road, from Cherry Street to beyond Aerial Street approximately 950 feet. Mr. Higgins, assistant town engineer, Mr. Walter Constantine, Mr. Luongo and his son were present :at the hearing. The Chairman explained why the hearing has been called and stated that any person who wished to speak either in favor or in Suther- opposition would be given an opportunity to do so, and he land asked the Supt. of Public Works to explain the specifications Rd. in general. Mr. DeFoe stated that the road would be excavated, there would be twelve inches of gravel, four inches of stone properly rolled and penetrated with asphalt and sealed. He said that the road will be twenty-four feet wide, shoulders eight feet wide and graded. Mr. DeFoe explained that all slopping will be done on private property and there would be no sidewalks. The Chairman asked if anyone wished to be recorded in opposition. A11 present were in favor of having the street laid out and accepted. The Chairman explained that the Board of Selectmen could merely approve the layout and it would be up to Town Meeting to vote for the actual construction. 206 The hearing was declared closed at 8:15 p.m. and the group retired. At 8:20 p.m. hearing was declared open on the layout of,as a town way, Cherry Street, from Charles Street to beyond Sutherland Road approximately 425 feet. Mr. DeFoe, Suitt. of Public Works, Mr. Higgins, Assistant Town Engineer, Messrs Luongo, Cook and Sachetti were present at the hearing. The Chairman informed the group that all those who had any questions, ,Wished to be recorded in opposition or in favor would be given an opportunity to do so and asked Cherry Mr. DeFoe, Suet. of Public Works, to explain the specifications Street in general:. Mr. DeFoe explained the specifications as out- lined for the previous hearing. Mr. Ralph C. Cook, 10 Cherry Street asked about the width of the street and Mr. DeFoe presented a plan of the proposed layout and explained it to him. Mr. Paxton asked Mr. Luongo if he would be willing to make a giving so that the proposed street will be forty feet the entire width. He said that as far as the town is concerned, the street could be accepted with a thirty-five foot width, but for the general appearance of the neighbor- hood, it should be forty feet wide. Mr. Luongo said that he would be willing to give five feet. Mr. Paxton said that there are three other abutters, Messrs. Whalen, Sousa and Goodwin who might also be willing to make a giving so that the street in front of their pro- perty will be forty feet in width. Mr. Cook asked how soon before the sidewalk would be constructed and the Chairman said that it could be petitioned for at any time. He also informed Mr. Cook that the town pays one-half the cost of constructing sidewalks. Mr. Sachetti asked if the sidewalk would have a curbing and Mr. Paxton replied in the negative. The Chairman explained that the Selectmen could merely approve the layout and the actual construction would have to be voted by Town Meeting. The hearing was declared closed at 8:35 p.m. and the group retired. Grant Street At 8:40 p.m. hearing was declared open on the layout of, as a town way, Grant Street, from Hayes Lane to East Street approximately 3,990 feet. Mr. DeFoe, Supt. of Public Works, Mr. Higgins, Ass't. Town Engineer and the following residents or property owners on Grant Street were present: MEssrs. Cavanaugh, Baskin, McKearney, MacDougall, Carlson, Bowser, Mr. and Mrs. Buse, IMr.. and Mrs. Mugridge, Mr. and Mrs. Richards, Mr. and Mrs. Mabey. 1 1 1 207 The Chairman explained the purpose of the hearing and said that all those who wished to be recorded in favor or in opposition would be given an opportunity to do so. He requested the Supt. of Public Works to explain the general specifications, similar to the explanation given at the previous hearings. Mr. McKearney, 145 Grant Street asked why the street. was laid out as a fifty foot way, and Mr. Higgins explained that the developer had laid it out as a fifty foot way in 1929. Mr. McKearney asked if it would be compulsory to have a fifty foot wId th . Mr. Paxton explained that there have been instances when the width of a ribght of way has been narrowed down, but in looking over this location he personally believed that the minimum width should be fifty feet. Mr. Charles Richards, 101 Grant Street asked what the town had planned to do with his property. Mr. Higgins presented a plan and explained the pro- posed layout stating that the new line would go through where Richards' house is now located which would necessitate moving the house. He said that the location for the house would have to be filled in\before anything could be done about the found.on.. He explained that on the opposite side of the brook from Mr. Richard's house, about one half of the width is taken on the Vine Brook sewer easement. He explained that the easement could not be built upon. Mr. Richards asked if he would have to pay betterment assessments inasmuch as the town will force him to move his house. The Chairman stated that moving the house and the loca- tion for it would have to be decided upon at a later date. Mr. Richards said that if his house is moved he will not pay any assessment. The Chairman asked if Mr. Richards wished to be recorded in opposition and Mr. Richards replied in the affirmative. Mr. Paul Bowser, 171 Grant Street said that he did not care to oppose the layout, but he would like to know just where he stands before he expressed any opinion. Mr. Higgins said that Mr. Bowser has constructed a roadway in front of his property, according to town specifica- tions and the expense he went to at the time the road was built offsets any betterments that would ordinarily have to be paid by him at this time. He said that insofar as Mr. Bowser is concerned, there will be no betterment charges against his property because he has done more than his share in building the road. Mr. Higgins said that the short 208 Cary St. Winter St. distance remaining to East Street is taken up by the fact that Mr. Bowser has a frontage on East Street. Mr. J. T. Carlson, 83 East Street asked where he stood it elation to that portion of the street constltucted by Mr. Bowser. Mr. Higgins said that Mr. Carlson did not pay any- thing when Mr. Bowser constructed a portion of Grant Street and he will, therefore, be assessed if Grant Street is constructed. He said that the entire cost of constructing the street was figured as though no portion had already been built. Mr. Fuller, 140 Grant Street asked if the road would be crowned and Mr. Paxton said that it will be crowned four inches on a twenty-four foot pavement. Mr. Hollis MacDougall said that some of the land is owned by the Sachem Council of the Boy Scouts of American and he would like to know if that land, which is exempt from taxes, would„be assessed. The Chairman said that he believed the Town Counsel would have to be consulted for a correct answer. !r. John Baskin said that he understood that the assessment is about $12.00 a foot and asked if the people on Grant Street are willing to pay. The Chairman replied that 70% of the abutters had signed that they would pay their share. Mr. Baskin said that he was slightly opposed to the acceptance of Grant Street but if all the pbher property owners wanted it, he would offer his property to the town. No other persons w&thing to be heard, the hearing was declared closed at 9:23 p.m. At 9:30 p.m. hearing was declared open on the layout of as a town way, Cary Street, from Charles Street to beyond Sliherland Road approxgmately 445 feet. No persons appeared in favor or in opposition and the hearing was declared closed at 9:32 p.m. At 9:35 p.m. hearing was -declared open mn the layout of, as a town way, Winter Street, from near Hazel Road to Hillcrest Street approximately 2,340 feet. Twenty-nine persons were present at the hearing. The Chairman explained that the work on Winter Street, if done, would be done under the Betterment Act and the abutters pay the full amount of the cost of const*uction.. The Supt. of Public Works explained the specifications as outlined in the previous hearings. The Chairman asked if any person present wished to be recorded in opposition. OC Nog 1 1 209 Mr. Norman S. O'Sullivan questioned the number of persons present as being owners of property. on Winter Street. The Chairman explained that the list of property owners had been obtained from the Assessors' Office and showed the list, with signatures of those agreeing to pay a portion of the cost of construction, to Mr. O'Sullivan. Mr. Santa Hausherr, 105 Winter Street asked if town water would be installed and Mr. Paxton replied that the Street would not be built until after the water had been installed, and the Chairman explained that the charge for water would be extra. Mr. O'Sullivan inquired about the width of the street. Mr. Higgins said that the present travelled way is more or less winding, but that the street line will follow as nearly as possible the street lots as they are now. Mr. O'Sullivan said that the drawing shows that the town will take about twenty-five feet of his property. Mr. Higgins said that the lines have not as yet been established. Mr. O'Sullivan said that he certainly objected to the contour given him according to the sketch. Mr. Higgins explained that there has been a Board of Survey made, but there has been no survey of lines begond the Beach property and until such time as street lines have been laid out, nothing can be done on the street. He said that the first thing to be done is to have a survey drawn up and have a Board of Survey hearing. After the lines are laid out by the Board of Survey, then have the street accepted. Mr. Rowse asked if the street was ready for acceptance at the annual Town Meeting and Mr. Higgins said that the engineering department has not had the time to do the necessary work and that the street could not be accepted in March, 1947. Mr. Paxton said that as far as he is concerned, the lay- out will be made as soon as possible and presented to the next Town Meeting if there is one in the summer or fall of this year. The hearing was declared closed at 10:05 p.m. and the group retired. The Board discussed the matter and it was decided that there is not sufficient time to prepare the necessary work to present Winter Street for the March Town Meeting. Mr. DeFoe and Mr. Higgins retired at 10:40 p.m. Letter was recdved signed by eight residents of Cary Street in protest to the proposed change in the name of that street. _ The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letter Change it and to advise the singers that inasmuch as Cary Avenue was name of named for the Cary family, the Board prefers to change the Cary St. name of Cary Street and to aSk them if they have any sug- gestions for a new name. 210 Letter was received from the State Department of Public Works advising that an ivestigation had been made of the intersection of Maple Street and Lowell Street and it determined that a sign is warranted. An amendment to the traffic rules and regulations was recommended. Upon motion of Mr. Paxton, seconded by Mr. Locke, Traffic it was voted that the Traffic Rules and Orders of the Town Rules of Lexington adopted by the Board of Selectmen under the date of October 7, 1935 be and hereby amended by adding the following at the end of Article VIII, Section LL: Northeast bound drivers on Maple Street at Lowell Street. The Chairman read a letter from the Clerk of the Planning Board asking that the Selectmen provide them with a girl to do their clerical work. The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the request and advise the Planning Board that it will not be possible for the Selectmen's Department to assume any responsibility until such time as another girl is available. Letter was received from Mrs. Gertrude H. Mara advising the Board that she would be willing to sell her property at 11 Meriam Street to the Town of Lexington for $10,000. The Clerk was instruced to ad*tse Mrs. Mara that the Mara Board of Selectmen does not feel justified in recommending Offer this figure to Town Meeting. Chairman read a letter from the Appropriation Committee relative to the ttem of $1,000. in the Assessors budget for Assessors personal services. If this amount represents personal Budget sertioes, it is subject to retirement deductions and with- holdi ; if it represents expenses, it is not subject to the 1 % increase or retirement deductions. If the latter case is so, then Mr. Emery must withdraw from the Retirement System. The Assessors have indicated to the Appropriation Committee that they consider the item to be expenses, and the Appropriation Committee request an opinion from the Selectmen. The Chairman explained that as long as Mr. Emery is in the Retirement System, the item must be classified as Personal Services. He said that there is no way of changing it unless Mr. Emery retires. 1 1 1 211 Request was received from the Athletic Boosters' Paper Club for permission to conduct a paper drive on Sunday, Drive May 4, 1947 to raise funds to further athletic recreation in Lexington. Mr. Rowse moved that the request be granted. Mr. Paxton seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Request was received from the Stanledr Hill Post, No. 38 for permission to conduct a paper drive on Sunday, May 18, 1947. The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the request and advise the Legion that a permit has already been granted to another organization for May 4, 1947 and suggest that the Legion apply for permission to conduct a drive on a later date. Letter was received from the Veterans of Foreign Wars reauesting permission to conduct a Poppy Day Drive on May Poppy 23 and 24, 1947. Day Dr. Mr. Locke moved that the request be granted. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from Post #1, Explorer Scouts, Boy Scouts of Ametica, for permission to conduct a dance in Cary Memorial Hall on the evening of April 12, 1947. Mr. Rowse moved that the use of the hall be granted Use of free of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it hall was so voted. Application was received from the Lexington Youth Cam- mittee for.permission to conduct a dance in Cary Memorial Hall off the evening of February 27, 1947. Mr. Paxton moved that the use of the hall be granted Use of subject to a charge of 025.00 providing adult supervision hall has actually been provided for. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from the Tandem Club of the Use of Hancock Congregational Church for permission to conduct a hall concert in Cary Memorial Hall on the evening of May 16, 1947. Mr. Paxton moved that the use of the hall be granted subject to a charge of $25.00 Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from the Lexington Athletic Boosters' Club for permission to conduct a Sports Night Use of in Cary Memorial Hall on the evening of Marga 21, 1947. 212 Mr. Rowse::moved that the use of the _hall be granted free of charge. 14. Paxton seconded the motion, and it was so -voted. Application was received from the War Parents of Use of America for permission to conduct a business meeting in hall Estabrook Hall on the evening of February 21, 1947. Mr. Locke moved that the use be granted free of charge. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Locke said that Mr. Heggie of the Christian Science Church had called him relative to obtaining per- mission to conduct a Christian Sicence Lecture in Cary Memorial Hall. Mr. Wrightington, during his term of office as Town Counsel, ruled that Cary Memorial Hall could not be used for such.a purpose. The Chairman agreed to contact Mr. Lynch and obtain his opinion. The Chairman said that Mr. Tobin, Veterans' Agent would like permission to keep his ofriee:(conference room in Cary Building) open on Friday nights. The Board had no objection and suggested that Mr. Tobin contact Mr. Moloy, the janitor, on the natter. Garbage A sealed bid for the collection of garbage from the Bid Town of Lexington was received from Connors Brothers, The bid was submitted at $10,800 a year for a three year period. Mr. Paxton moved that Connors Brothers be advised that the Board voted to award the contract to them for the collection of garbage for the period of one year ending April 19, 1948 for the sum of $10,800. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk was instructed to ask the bidder to advise the Board if he would be willing to accept this and if so a contract will be prepared for signatures. The Clerk informed the Board that a representative from the Veterans' Bureau in Boston had been out again to find out who had been appointed director to the Veterans' Advisory Board. Mr. Paxton moved that Dr. Leonard Short, a member of the Vet. Veterans' Advisory Board, be asked to serve as Director. Direetor Ir. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk asked the Board if there were to be any article pertaining to the Recreational Committee. It was decided that a committee could be appointed under Article 2 in the warrant and that the sum of $500 be included in 1 1 1 in the Selectmen's Expenses budget to be used, if necessary, in connection with the Committee. The Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting to be held on Monday, March 3, 1947 was signed by the Board. It was decided to meet on Saturday afternooh, Feb- ruary 15, 1947 at 2;00 p.m. with the Appropriation Committee for the purpgse of going over the budgets. Th next reg ar:meeting ohe Boar f Se - men will held on onlay eveninFebruar 17, 1• at 7:30 p.m. A true record, Attest: 2i,444;z10-)1_,,,z4,1t 213